o Unite to ballot Mariner workforce on new pay offer

Trade union Unite has announced it will ballot its members on a revised pay offer on Equinor’s Mariner platform.

The union confirmed yesterday that a new offer had been tabled by oil field service firm Aker Solutions and that its membership had agreed to remove an overtime ban as a gesture of “good will”.

Unite also said the new offer “addresses a number of key concerns” raised in the successful ballot for industrial action including training, turnable beds nightly allowance, standby and bonus payments.

A fresh vote on the offer will take place on August 13. Some 83.4% of Unite members on a 80.1% turnout voted to reject the previous offer.

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Unite regional officer John Boland said: “There has been significant movement by Aker management over the last week to address a number of the key concerns our membership had which led to an overwhelming mandate for industrial action. These latest negotiations have been conducted in a constructive way which led to Unite making the decision to remove the overtime working ban as a gesture of goodwill.

“The new offer will be put to our membership in a consultative ballot with a recommendation to accept, but it is ultimately in their hands as to whether they think this is an acceptable offer.”

Crew on the £4.5 billion project downed tools for eight hours in an ‘unofficial strike’ on April 7 in a dispute over pay and working conditions.

They are believed to have declined to work overtime the following day.

Trade union sources suggested a lack of accommodation had led to unfavourable changes in shift patterns.

Meanwhile, strike action continued yesterday on North Sea platforms operated by French oil giant Total.

The row centres on Total’s plans to switch workers’ rotas from two weeks on, three weeks off to three on, three off.

Workers voted to down tools in a series of 24-hour and 12-hour strikes. Last Monday, 24-hour strikes halted production on the Alwyn, Dunbar and Elgin.

Further 24-hour stoppages will take place on August 6 and August 20 with an additional 12-hour stoppage on August 13.

The latest production data on the Oil and Gas Authority’s website indicates the three fields pump out more than 70,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day combined.

Unite regional officer Wullie Wallace confirmed “no talks” had taken place with Total.

Please see below messages of support for the Unite TOTAL members and to all union members who have taken or are in the process of organising Industrial Action/Strike Action in the North Sea to win for workers.

A big thanks to all trade unionists who publicly showed support for all Union members in dispute (not all are on this stream)

A message of support from John Gillespie, Chair of Unite Scotland.

‘Solidarity and support from all of the Unite Scottish Executive Committee’

Unite the Union Scotland Organisers, Officers and Staff send a message of solidarity and support and will assist all the brave and comradely actions that Unite members and sister offshore trade unions during any Industrial dispute, which Unite members have to take to win and protect existing terms and conditions.

You may not always win – however if you don’t fight you will never win any industrial struggle. collectivising your fellow work colleagues is the only way you can win.

Message from Denise Christie, FBU.

‘Solidarity from FBU Scotland. Keep strong and united. Firefighters are right with you’

I am writing to you to provide you all with a message of solidarity from Unite members in NHS Ayrshire & Arran.

I am always dismayed when workers have to take the ultimate sanction of strike action for it means that employers have failed in their attempts to address the needs of workers. In this instance, it is even worse as this is clearly a health and safety issue with the employer changing a shift pattern with no cognisance of how their actions will adversely affect the health, safety and wellbeing and work/life balance of the workforce. Everyone at Branch SC/157/NHS Ayrshire and Arran wish you well in your struggle to take on an employer who appears to have little regard for you and we salute the brave stance which you are taking. If there is anything we can do to support you in any further way then please let me know.

Good luck from the Lads on the Mariner A Platform stand tight stand together ✊✊

Wishing you guys all the best…You are already overworked..All the best…

Solidarity and support to the Total workers engaged in Industrial action in the #NorthSea from Unite 154/13 Tayside Contracts Branch

Unite members in Odfjell drilling workers stand in solidarity ✊️

Jimmy McGuinness and the Unite NHS Tayside branch Arise ye workers from your slumber. The ultimate act in any industrial dispute is the withdrawal of our labour for a just cause. NEVER has it been so important to show solidarity in the face of evil. a chant from the big meeting that is always front and centre……..”THE WORKERS UNITED,WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED” ✊✊✊✊✊✊

Solidarity from The Peoples Assembly Scotland to the Unite Scotland off-shore members currently on strike on the North Sea oil and gas platforms operated by Total E&P.

A message of solidarity from the Brent Bravo. With you all the way!

Message from Scottish Hazards.Solidarity to all Unite members working offshore and taking industrial action today, see our post on @ScottishHazards

Solidarity and support from GSK workers in Unite Montrose Branch SC/337

A message from Chris Elder and the Unite Dundee Taxi branch send support and solidarity to all offshore Union members taking Strike Action

Message of support from Unite Branch 700/62 – West Dunbartonshire Council

‘Wish you all our support in your forced Action. Solidarity.

Unite COTA (Catering Offshore Trading Association) members on BP Clair Ridge sends a message of support to all the TOTAL workers on strike. Together we are stronger United we stand! Solidarity brothers and sisters Unite Offshore COTA Branch, sends solidarity to members of Unite on strike on Total offshore oil and gas Platforms.RegardsBranch Secretary COTA

Unite Offshore branch SC/156 Bilfinger Salamis fully support and send messages of support and Solidarity to our fellow Unite members in taking Industrial action on TOTAL installations in the North Sea Solidarity to all Union members in the North Sea taking strike action – now and in the future.RegardsPhil Munro
SC/156
Branch Secretary.

Blacklist Support Group sends a message of support to all the TOTAL workers on strike today. Together we are strong – solidarity

Unite members working on the Mariner project have sent a message of solidarity and support to Unite members taking action on the TOTAL’s Alwyn, Elgin and Dunbar platform.’We send our support to fellow Unite members taking strike action today. AKER members on the Mariner have now voted for Industrial Action. Standing up to the cuts and proposed changes is the only way we can force through better conditions for everyone working offshore. We wish you every success in your dispute. Solidarity from the Mariner.’

Solidarity and support from County Durham Teaching Assistants Activists committee #ValueUs

The Scottish Trade Union Congress sends #solidarity to the @UniteScotlandmembers currently on their 1st 24h strike today on the #NorthSea oil and gas platforms operated by Total E&P. We urge trade unionists in Scotland to send msgs of support to them using #strikeforoil

If you wish to pass on a message of Support & Solidarity to Offshore workers in dispute with their employer in the North Sea please contact any of the following streams

Workers on three North Sea platforms have gone on strike in a row over offshore rotas and wages.

Union Unite said its members started the 24-hour strike on Monday at 6am on Total E&P’s Alwyn, Dunbar and Elgin platforms.

Unite regional officer John Boland said: “We can confirm that the strike action on Alwyn, Dunbar and Elgin platforms has gone ahead as planned.

“Production has been stopped and the wells have been shut.

“Although no further talks are planned at present we would urge the company to come back to us with an improved offer to get our members back to work and the wells up and running again.”

The industrial action is the first of five planned stoppages and coincides with a continous overtime ban.

Further 24-hour strikes are planned for August 6 and 20 with twelve-hour walkouts on July 30 and August 13.

The union said the dispute centres on a wage review and plans to move workers to a three weeks on three weeks off rota, involving an extra week offshore.

Total E&P said it wants to introduce a uniform rota system which will bring staff in line with workers on their recently acquired Maersk Oil installations.

A Total E&P spokeswoman said the strikes have gone ahead despite it making new proposals.

She added: “Once more, we would like to reaffirm that what is at stake here is to ensure the long term sustainability of our business in the North Sea, to enhance overall safety and remain the most efficient in our operations.”

Meanwhile, members of a second union working for Aker Solutions on the Mariner platform have voted to strike in row on payments and expenses.

GMB members on the North Sea oil rig voted by 78% in favour of strike action, in a ballot with 79% turnout.

The announcement follows Unite members on the platform voting on Friday in favour of striking.

The workers rejected a final pay, terms and conditions offer by management.

Ross Murdoch, GMB National Officer, called on Aker Solutions to engage with union representatives to find a resolution.

He said: “GMB members have now let their feelings be known to Aker Solutions.

“They are prepared to take industrial action to vent their frustration over the way they feel their employer is treating them on this very lucrative contract.”

An Aker Solutions spokesman confirmed the vote, adding: “This is a disappointing development following the presentation of an enhancement to terms and conditions worth up to £8,000 per employee.

“Aker Solutions will now seek further discussions with the unions regarding their proposed steps to resolution.”

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Aker Mariner workforce vote for strike action

20 July 2018

Unite the union today (Friday 20 July) confirmed that members working for Aker Solutions on the Statoil Mariner Oil Platform have voted for industrial action.

83.4 % of Unite members on a 80.1% turnout rejected a final pay, terms and conditions offer made by Aker management. Around 200 workers are involved in the prospective industrial action which is likely to take place between early August to early October. An overtime ban will also be in place during this period.

The dispute centers on a collective grievance raised by Unite members in relation to standby payments from recruitment until mobilisation, turn beds payments and training expenses.

An agreement with Unite regarding payment from turnable beds was broken by Aker along with training expenses not being paid by the company as per the Offshore Contractors Association (OCA) agreement.

On 14 May 2018, a final offer by company management was made to the workforce inclusive of £1,500 per person payment instead of standby allowance and a bonus payment of £6,500 per person. The offer was rejected by 86 per cent of Unite members on an 85 per cent turnout.

Unite regional officer John Boland said: “The strength of feeling amongst our members at Aker is rock solid and resolute. The resistance and protracted process by Aker management to give our members what they deserve has led us to this position. There is a rapidly closing window of opportunity to resolve this dispute but the actions of Aker so far can only lead us to the conclusion that industrial action is all but inevitable.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

For more information contact John Boland on 07918 630435.

Unite Scotland is the country’s biggest and most diverse trade union with around 150,000 members. The union is led in Scotland by Pat Rafferty.

Join Unite online today!

Unite is the largest trade union in the UK and Ireland with around 1.42 million members across 20 different private, public and voluntary sectors including manufacturing, public services, transport, food, finance and construction.

What you will need to join online today

The sign up process

Joining the union could not be easier. Just follow our simple steps below.

Complete the Join Online formor download a membership form.
Complete the simple form with your personal information and current job details, if applicable.

Find out the cost of your membershipThe online application will work out your monthly membership fee based on the information you give us.*

Set up a direct debit
If you are happy with monthly fee, you can complete the Direct Debit and activate your membership right away.

Receive email & instant My Unite accessYou’ll receive an email telling you how to gain access to the My Unite portal. A membership pack will follow in the post which will include your Unite membership number.

Unite announce strike days on Total’s oil and gas offshore platforms

05 July 2018

Unite the union has today (5 July) announced a series of strike days on the North Sea oil and gas platforms operated by Total E&P. Following the overwhelming mandate for industrial action, there will be a series of 24 hour and 12 hour stoppages on the three platforms affected (Alwyn, Dunbar and Elgin), all of which will be forced to cease production.

There will also be a continuous ban on overtime commencing at 00.01 hours on 23 July. The dispute concerns the company’s wage review and its plans to force workers to increase their offshore working time. A report by Robert Gordon University identified that workers on three-week, equal-time rotas were nearly twice as likely to experience ill health as those on two-on-two-off shifts. The three on/three off rota pattern is now worked by 56 per cent of the workforce offshore, compared with just 17 per cent working the same pattern in 2007.

Unite regional officer Wullie Wallace said: “The overwhelming vote in favour of strike action demonstrates the fury at Total’s proposals to impose changes to the working practices and conditions on its three platforms. There remains a closing window of opportunity for Total to behave responsibly and engage with Unite to revise its current offer. However, if Total does not wish to negotiate, then the company will be left in no uncertain terms of the strength of feeling of Unite members which will lead to widespread disruption of the company’s operations.”

Pictured is Willie Wallace (Unite regional Officer) at the press conference at Unite The Union, King Street, Aberdeen. Picture by DARRELL BENNS Pictured on 10/04/2018

Unite members employed at Total’s Shetland gas plant have also voted for industrial action in a dispute over changes to their rota system.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

For more information contact Wullie Wallace on 01224645271 or 07712444952.

Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest trade union with over 1.4 million members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Len McCluskey.

Offshore trade union Unite has announced that strikes will go ahead on three of French oil giant Total’s North Sea rigs in a dispute over pay and working hours.

The Alwyn, Dunbar and Elgin platforms will see workers down tools in a series of 24 hour and 12 hour strikes.

Unite said in a statement that a continuous ban on overtime will also take place commencing at 00.01 hours on 23 July.

The 24 hour stoppages will begin at 06.00 hours on 23 July, 6 August and 20 August with the 12 hour stoppages starting at 12.00 hours on 30 July and 13 August.

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Unite regional officer Wullie Wallace said: “The overwhelming vote in favour of strike action demonstrates the fury at Total’s proposals to impose changes to the working practices and conditions on its three platforms.

“There remains a closing window of opportunity for Total to behave responsibly and engage with Unite to revise its current offer. However, if Total does not wish to negotiate, then they will be left in no uncertain terms of the strength of feeling of Unite members which will lead to widespread disruption of the company’s operations.”

The dispute centres on a wage review outlined by Total and concerns that it may force workers to increase offshore working time.

Jean-Luc Guiziou, Managing Director of Total E&P UK, said: “Our workforce at the Shetland Gas Plant and on the Elgin, Alwyn and Dunbar platforms do a very good job and we will do our best to work towards a resolution of this dispute. I know from talking to our workforce that we can find a negotiated solution.

“We have started a structured process of meetings and workshops that will hopefully allow us to reach a consensus. By moving to a 3/3 rota, we’ll be in a much stronger place to grow our business and increase operational excellence.

“Our objective is to seek a rota system that both enhances overall safety and is the most efficient – in this way we will ensure the long term sustainability of our business in the North Sea.

“I also believe that we will only move forward together, so I look forward to a constructive dialogue with our offshore staff and their representatives.”

Last week, Unite said workers on the three rigs had voted “overwhelmingly” in favour of strike action, while providing a 100% “mandate” for industrial action short of strike.

Tensions were raised last week when Total decided to increase security after a week of rancour with staff concerning a wage review, feared changes to shift patterns and anger over the firm’s plans to hold a barbecue in the midst of redundancies.

In an internal release to staff on Friday, Total said it would introduce “security measures” at its headquarters in Westhill, Crawpeel House in Aberdeen, Shetland Gas Plant and its warehouses and quayside.

Join Unite online today!

Unite is the largest trade union in for offshore workers in the North Sea UKCS

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“What is more disgraceful is that we now know that Piper Alpha could have been avoided.

“The accident was caused by cost-driven decisions. And when costs become more important than safety, Piper Alpha shows that the result can be catastrophic.

“Unite remembers those that were lost on Piper Alpha. They serve as a reminder that corners must never be cut and that the job done by workers in the North Sea is one of the most dangerous around. But we also remember those who were left.”

He cites the ongoing concerns of a survivor who told him he wanted to remain anonymous “for fear of being blacklisted under Not Required Back (NRB).”

“This is where workers who raise issues around health and safety find there is no more work for them”, said Mr Rafferty.

“This fear of speaking out is another damning indictment of the culture which still exists and shows employers have learned little from Lord Cullen’s report.

“As a young man just starting his career offshore, he was working on the Sedco 714 Semi Sub Drilling Unit the night tragedy struck.

“He recalls radio communications coming out over the airwave channels and everyone tuned in to listen for updates on Piper Alpha and this still haunts him.

“He can recall friends lost. His own neighbour lost her husband, which left their children without a father. Partners, husbands, fathers, grandfathers and brothers, all lost.

“The tragedy has left a lasting legacy.

“The sad thing is he believes it could happen again.

“He speaks about a lack of communication today. Of low morale and the intense work pressures that are leading to safety-critical work being missed. But we now have an added risk: inexperience.

“The loss of so many experienced workers; some who died that day, others who have left the industry either through redundancy or because they are disillusioned about the way the industry is going, has created a tier of workers with less experience of dealing with the everyday pressures of such a safety-critical and harsh industry.”

That situation, he believes, is being further worsened by the recent introduction of three-weeks-on and three-weeks-off shift rotas.

He said: “That will only add to the pressures on workers.

“A recent report by Robert Gordon University for the Offshore Contractors Association (OCA) highlights the mental and physical exhaustion felt by those on the newer three-week shifts.

“It also raised concerns about the impact on workers’ wellbeing, and blamed the change for making health issues worse.

“We must never forget the lessons of Piper Alpha.

“But 30 years on, we should have learned something and it doesn’t look like offshore employers have.

“The Workers’ Memorial Day has a strapline: remember the dead, fight for the living. We do remember; we will never forget.

“But we must also continuhttps://www.facebook.com/UniteDemandBackHomeSafe/e the fight to make sure the industry is as safe as it can possibly be to ensure workers can return home at the end of their shift.”

Back Home Safe

Unites Back Home Safe campaign is an ongoing campaign to improve on offshore sectors health & Safety https://www.facebook.com/UniteDemandBackHomeSafe/

Not yet in a union ? Join Unite the Offshore Union today – Get protected, Get Active, Get Organised, ://www.unitetheunion.org/growing-our-union/joinunite/

Health & Safety offshore is an issue that affects everyone the best way to improve terms & conditions in any workplace is to have union trained and appointed safety reps,,

It may be time to lohttp://www.unitetheunion.org/growing-our-union/joinunite/ok at introducing trade union trained Health &Safety reps into the #North Sea to add value to the already established high safety regulations and protocols that are already in place. You can never have too much safety as the workers deserve it.

French oil giant Total will step up security at its north-east facilities amid protest concerns after a week of high-profile disputes with staff over pay and hours, which resulted in a vote in favour of strike action.

Total’s decision to increase security comes after a week of rancour with staff concerning a wage review, feared changes to shift patterns and anger over the firm’s plans to hold a barbecue in the midst of redundancies.

In an internal release to staff yesterday, Total said it would introduce “security measures” at its headquarters in Westhill, Crawpeel House in Aberdeen, Shetland Gas Plant and its warehouses and quayside.

The letter said security stationed at Total sites will “remain vigilant” to “ensure any potential protest remains peaceful”.